Anti-CAA Protest: Lucknow Court grants bail to Sadaf Jafar

The District and Sessions Court at Lucknow today granted bail to activist Sadaf Jafar in connection with a case registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police for protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

The Court also granted bail to Pawan Rao Ambedkar, lawyer Mohammad Shoeb, and retired IPS officer SR Darapuri, who were similarly arrested.

The Court extended bail to Jafar on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the like amount. It also directed Jafar to co-operate with the investigation and not to influence any witnesses in the case.

The order was passed today by Additional District and Sessions Judge Sanjay Shanker Pandey, who reserved orders in the cases yesterday.

Sadaf Jafar was arrested by the UP Police on December 20, while live streaming the aftermath of a protest on Facebook. A host of charges were framed against the activist, including those under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 147 (rioting), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 152 (assaulting a public servant).

Jafar's family claimed that she was beaten by the police while in custody, and was not being given medical treatment.

A bail application filed on her behalf was dismissed by the Magistrate's court, which prompted the appeal before the District Court.

Meanwhile, a petition filed in the Allahabad High Court seeking a direction to quash the FIR against her is still pending. The petition also sought medical treatment for Jafar and a direction that she be kept under humane and hygienic conditions.

On the last date of hearing on January 2, the High Court Bench of Justices Shabihul Hasnain and Virendra Kumar allowed the state government two weeks to file a counter affidavit. In the meanwhile, the Court was given an assurance by counsel for the state government that Jafar has received and will continue to receive medical treatment.

76-year-old lawyer Mohammed Shoeb, President of a human rights organisation called Rihai Manch, was arrested from his house late on December 20 night, two days after being placed on hours arrest ahead of an anti-CAA protest.